The tragic shootings at St. Peters Church, Ellicott City, remind us of the realities of being the Church in service to the world. The death of the administrative assistant, one of the pastors and, the assailant himself, can become cause for questioning the wisdom of working with the homeless, hungry and those who live on the fringes of society. In fact, this episode hits close to home, not so much geographically, but insofar as Epiphany ministers with and among those same sisters and brothers who live on the fringe - and we do so in our own building through the God is Love Food Pantry under the watchful eye of our administrative assistant, Betty Holland and the many members of our social ministry team - including older adults who often work in teams of two greeting and serving our clients from the community. In the face of such tragedy, it becomes tempting retreat, to cut back on the face-to-face interaction, offer our gifts through a window and keep an arms-length with those neighbors who come seeking our help, companionship and assistance.

Nevertheless, our Lord's call to discipleship challenges us, in the face of fear and grief, to "preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives..., to set free those who are oppressed." Fear, even when grounded in reality, is never of God. And the scripture drives us, even in the face of fear, to love all the more. We must, of course, be cautious and wise in our efforts; but we can never allow fear to give us excuse to abandon those efforts.

May our continued commitment to love our neighbors as ourselves be a living witness to our faith and honor the memories of all those who've lost their lives in service of Christ and neighbor. Our prayers surround all those who've died and the faithful people of St. Peter's Church who must, in the face of loss, take up the cross anew. May the Lord grant us wisdom and courage for the facing of this hour.

The Rev. William J. Gohl, Jr., Pastor 

Epiphany Lutheran Church in the City of Baltimore